Indications emerged last night that Governor Rochas Okorocha Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu is still in pole position to be named the choice successor of the governor.
A top source revealed to this newspaper that despite subtle pressure and internal political schemings on Okorocha from other contenders such as Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, and Secretary to Government of Imo State, George Eche to be named as successor, the Chief of Staff remains highly considered for the APC governorship ticket from Okorocha’s camp in 2019.
Doubts on Nwosu’s aspiration surfaced when public opinion titled against Okorocha having his son – in law as his successor. This argument has been so strong as it constitutes a violation of the zoning arrangement in Imo State which favours Owerri Zone to produce the next governor of the state in 2019. Nwosu is from Okorocha’s Orlu Zone. This raised some uproar despite the golden silence maintained by the Chief of Staff who has not uttered a word in public announcing his aspiration to contest the 2019 Imo State governorship race.
However, his Ugwumba Movement has continued to move on in leaps and bounds across the State made up of political footsoldiers and loyalists of the State Governor who are “preparing” the grounds for the eventual declaration of Uche’s ambition.
Series of meetings within and outside the party level has continued unabated all in a bid to get Nwosu on the race when the time comes. A source at one of the meetings told this newspaper “Nothing has changed”
An Owerri based newspaper had reported two weeks ago that there is pressure on Nwosu to declare his ambition to be governor of Imo State rather than allow the governor raise his hand before Imolites and declare he is the anointed choice.
Another report had said a close family member of the Okorocha’s is rooting for the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, George Eche. These claims could not be verified at at press time.